Car crash tragedy for family

Faiza Afzaal

Dean Dewhurst died just four miles from where his parents were tragically killed

Popular Dean returned to England six months ago after spending several years in New Zealand

Online tributes continue to pour in

A popular Ribchester man who “left a lasting impression on everyone he met” was killed in a car crash – four miles from where his parents died in a tragic accident 19 years ago.

Dean Dewhurst and his two brothers, Paul and Liam, were pulled from the wreckage of a horrific road smash on the notorious A59, near Sawley, in 1997, which claimed the lives of both their parents, Philip and Julie Dewhurst.

The scene of the accident on Monday

Dean, Paul and Liam were in the back seat of a green Honda Concerto saloon, which was in collision with a Ford flat-back vehicle transporter. His parents died at the scene.

Dean was eight at the time and the emergency services described the trio of brothers’ escape as “nothing short of a miracle”.

The barman’s untimely death has saddened and shocked the tight-knit Ribchester community, while online tributes from grieving friends are continuing to pour in. After their parents’ death, the orphaned brothers were brought up by their grandparents, Cathy and Anthony Martin, of Ribchester. Sadly, Anthony died in 2012.

He always had a smile on his face, he always made all of the staff and customers smile back too. In fact, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Bill Edisforth, manager of The Derby Arms

Dean attended Ribchester St Wilfred CE Primary School moving onto St Cecilia RC High School, in Longridge. He had spent several years living in New Zealand and travelling to Australia and Thailand. The qualified electrician returned to England six months ago and was working as a barman at the Seafood Pub Company eatery The Derby Arms in Longridge.

Bill Edisforth, manager of The Derby Arms, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the great loss of Dean Dewhurst.

“He always had a smile on his face, he always made all of the staff and customers smile back too. In fact, he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

He was a big team member and was always willing to help out.

How we reported on Deans parents death in 1997

“We would like to pass on our deepest sympathy and thoughts to Dean’s family and friends. We are privileged to have known and worked with you.” Similar sentiments were shared by his friends at Ribchester Rovers Football Club, where Dean was a coach and player. A spokesman said: “Everyone is devastated by the loss of Dean. Words cannot describe his loss. Dean has played and coached junior and senior football at the club for many years and he always had a smile on his face.

“The football club was close to the heart of Dean and his family.

“Everyone involved in the community of Ribchester wishes to express their deepest sadness for the loss of Dean who had friends worldwide.”

Meanwhile, police investigations are continuing into the accident. PS David Hurst, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “A man has sadly died as a result of this collision and an investigation is underway to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

“I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has any information that could assist with our investigation to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 65 of September 26th.